Women's Perceptions of and Behaviors toward Forest Experiences in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Korea

Abstract

The present study is a comparative analysis on perceptions and behavior toward forest experiences by gender and country. The research question is whether Korean women are enjoying their forest experiences and outdoor activities as part of common forest welfare, with increasing needs and social demand. For this study, a questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted with 274 women and 276 men who visited 6 cities and 12 urban forests in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and South Korea. Among the various countries, Korean women had a very low frequency of forest experiences. Their satisfaction level with outdoor activities, facilities, and management conditions was also low. Their distinctly low frequency in visiting forests compared to that of Korean men was identified to be significantly related to most of the survey items such as outdoor activities, facility management, and health; this showed that impediments to Korean women's forest experiences lead to them having negative perceptions. The interview results revealed that Korean women's unclear understanding of forest ecology, high demand for amenities, and passive motivation and behavior for visiting forests come from limited forest experiences. Korean women's narrow forest experiences are due to a lack of spare time based on their traditional roles in a male-centered society. Their lack of spare time starts a vicious cycle of limited forest experiences, passive behavior, and negative views. Korean women's limited forest experiences represent failed gender equality in forest welfare, and this requires an urgent remedy.